When first entering rehab, you may be worried about determining what kind of program you need to make a complete recovery. How do you know what type of treatment and what length of stay will be right for you? The amount of time that you spend in rehab depends on a lot of individual factors and it can be different for each person.
Addiction treatment length of stay varies on a case by case basis, and those with more severe issues are likely to need more time in treatment. The typical length of stay for someone with a moderate addiction might be 90 days but for people with very serious addiction issues they might need as long as 130 days of treatment to make a full recovery. Someone with a very mild addiction might even need less than 90 days to get back on their feet.
If you are concerned about your length of stay during rehab you can talk to staff members about their assessment of your condition. When you first enroll in a rehab program you will be evaluated by psychiatrists and addiction experts that will be able to determine the precise nature of your addiction. You can find out through this assessment if your addiction is relatively severe and if you have any co-occurring disorders which may complicate your recovery.
Once you get through your intake you are likely to have a much better idea about how long you will need to stay in rehab. As part of your assessment, the staff at the rehab center might recommend a certain amount of time for treatment or provide you with a general idea of your recovery plan. These recommendations could potentially change depending on the progress you make throughout treatment.
Factors that Influence Length of Stay
There are a few different reasons why someone may need more time in rehab than the typical 90 day stay. One issue that may complicate their recovery is if they are also diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with two disorders can very problematic such as having both an addiction and a mental health problem like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder etc.
Mental health can play a crucial role in recovery so it is important for people with co-occurring disorders to get treatment for their psychological issues simultaneously along with their addiction treatment. Because co-occurring disorders are more complex, patients may also need some extra time in rehab to resolve both issues if they are still struggling. They might benefit from an extended inpatient stay or a long-term outpatient program that will help them handle both their sobriety and the symptoms of their mental illness.
In addition to complications like a dual diagnosis, people how are struggling with multiple addictions might also need an extended stay in rehab. Attempting to quit more than one addiction can be especially difficult and may take some extra time and effort in order to become sober. People that are addicted to both alcohol and a certain type of drug for example will find it hard to go cold turkey and have a much higher risk of relapse.
Other factors that may influence the length of someone’s stay could include the amount of time that they were addicted to a certain substance or the severity of their abuse. Someone who has been addicted for decades might have a harder time in recovery than someone who was only addicted for a few years. Similarly, a person who would only have a few drinks on a regular basis might need less recovery time than someone who drank very heavily every day.
Adjusting Your Recovery Time in Treatment
Whatever the factors may be that influence your initial recovery plan, you should make sure to be flexible about the possibility of staying longer if you are still struggling. Everyone recovers at a different pace and some people may need extra support if they are not making the type of progress that they anticipated. There is no shame in extending your stay past 90 days if you truly don’t feel ready to leave even after completing your treatment.
There is no magic number when it comes to how long it takes to feel comfortable being sober. Each person responds to treatment in their own unique way and may need less time or more time than they anticipated. It is important to be flexible about your treatment and give yourself the amount of time that will give you the best results.
If you are wondering how long your treatment should take, talk to your rehab facility about getting an assessment before starting the program. They can recommend the right length of stay for you and provide you with options should you feel the need to stay in treatment longer.
